Working Title: Community Engagement Director - State Prog Admin Manager

Job Class: State Program Administrator, Manager

Agency: Children Youth & Families Dept

• Job ID: 86319
• Location: St. Paul
• Telework Eligible: Yes
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 05/16/2025
• Closing Date: 06/05/2025
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Children Youth & Families Dept / DeptChildYth&Fam-Managerial
• Division/Unit: DCY - Payroll / SystemsChange&PublicEngagement
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $40.26 - $58.20 / hourly; $84,062 - $121,521 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 220 - Manager/Unrep
• FLSA Status: Exempt - Executive
• Re-Posting: Yes
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
  
  

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families is unable to provide sponsorship for work visas. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States at the start of employment. DCYF does not participate in E-Verify.

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

In the 2023 legislative session, the Governor’s Office, Minnesota legislature, and leaders for children and families worked in partnership to pass legislation establishing the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to create a sustainable, public face for children’s issues in state government. This new cabinet-level agency brings together programs centered on children and families, including child care and early learning, child support, child safety and permanency, economic support and food assistance, and youth opportunity. The new Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Agency became effective on July 1, 2024.

***Employees may generally telework up to 50% of their scheduled workdays in a month. Employees that live 50 miles or more from their permanent/principal work location and live within the State or a county bordering the State may telework more than 50% with approval. ***

The Community Engagement Director will provide strategic leadership, direction, and implementation for the Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ (DCYF) agency-wide public engagement and partnership initiatives. This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing community engagement strategies, initiatives, infrastructure, systems and trainings to ensure that the agency effectively engages and partners with diverse partners, integrates community perspectives, and aligns with DCYF’s mission and vision, all while advancing equity by ensuring that all actions and decisions are equitable and inclusive.

The Director will play a key role in developing and equipping DCYF staff with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to lead and embed effective and equitable community engagement throughout the agency's efforts. The position requires independent decision-making, program oversight, and a high level of responsibility for managing sensitive, high-impact initiatives across divisions and external organizations. Responsibilities include:

• Defining and embedding engagement and partnership across DCYF, operationalizing agency’s engagement framework. Develop and manage strategic engagement systems, programming, initiatives, and projects to improve and develop agency engagement knowledge, practices, systems, and culture. Connecting and systematizing engagement efforts.
• Actively seek and develop effective relationships with staff, leadership, partners, community organizations, and communities.
• Engage publicly and visibly with community members and partners, representing DCYF at events, meetings, and public forums. This role requires comfort with public interaction and proactive community engagement.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month, day and year for each job held.**
• Demonstrated leadership experience. Leadership experience can include:
• Experience as a supervisor, lead worker, team lead, project lead;
• Completion of a State of Minnesota leadership program (e.g. ELI, L4);
• A paid/unpaid position leading a program or chairing a committee (e.g. ERG) - experience must include:
• 1+ year of experience identifying issues, goals and strategic actions
• 100+ hours per year time commitment
  
  
  

A minimum of five (5) years of senior leadership experience with a strong emphasis on community engagement, partnership development, and outreach within culturally diverse populations. This experience must include:

• Leadership within a large organization (300+ employees) with a demonstrated ability to navigate complex systems, manage relationships with diverse internal and external partners, and apply intercultural competence and diplomacy to foster inclusive engagement.
• Demonstrated success in engaging directly with communities through outreach, event planning, hosting community events, and building bridges between the public and the organization, ensuring accessible and inclusive interaction.
• Demonstrated track record of developing and leading community engagement strategies, programming, and training programs that build staff skills, strengthen agency community engagement infrastructure, and empower the organization to champion equity-driven community engagement.
• Demonstrated experience developing and facilitating engagement-focused training, curricula, and workshops for staff and community members, building staff capacity to lead equitable engagement and strengthening community ability to engage effectively with the agency.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage advisory committees, councils, or cross-sector collaboratives, fostering inclusive dialogue, and aligning initiatives with broader organizational goals.
• Experience in assessing community needs and co-developing actionable strategies with communities and staff to improve service access, address gaps, and drive measurable and equitable outcomes for the community.
• Demonstrated experience in assessing and improving policies, structures, systems, and organizational culture through a community engagement lens.
• Strong communicator with the ability to explain community engagement, DEI concepts, intersectionality, and conflict management frameworks clearly and respectfully across diverse audiences—in writing and in person
• Experienced in facilitating high-tension meetings and navigating challenging conversations with respect, sensitivity, and a solutions-oriented approach.
• Advance Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) knowledge and strong background in advancing people-centered strategies, integrating DEI principles into community engagement practices, with the ability to provide strategic guidance on DEI-related initiatives.
• Budget management and strategic planning experience.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in public administration, Community Development, Diversity and Inclusion, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Extensive experience managing community engagement strategies in large organizations, especially those that serve children, youth, and families.
• Experience with grant writing.
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
  
  

Additional Requirements

REFERENCE/BACKGROUND CHECKS – DCYF will conduct reference checks to verify job-related credentials and a criminal background check prior to appointment.

How To Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Tori Thao at [email protected]

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Tonika Shobe [email protected]

About Children Youth & Families Dept

(Include brief description of agency -- limit to two sentences)

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth
  
  

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being
  
  

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursementt
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)
  
  

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care
  
  

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. State agencies are committed to creating a workforce that reflects the diversity of the state and strongly encourages persons of color and Indigenous communities, members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community, individuals with disabilities, women, and veterans to apply. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve Minnesotans.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and disabilities related to pregnancy or childbirth), gender identity, gender expression, marital status, familial status, age, sexual orientation, status regarding public assistance, disability, veteran status or activity in a local Human Rights Commission or any other characteristic protected by law.

Applicants With Disabilities

Minnesota state agencies make reasonable accommodations to their employees and applicants with disabilities. If you have a disability and need assistance in searching or applying for jobs with the State of Minnesota, call the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and let us know the support you need.